Saturday, June 23, 2012

Don Landgren Jr. is an editorial cartoonist and a caricature artist who was born in Worcester, MA in 1962. He graduated from Anna Maria College in 1984 with a Bachelor’s in Art. In 1982, while still in college, he started drawing editorial cartoons for the Central Massachusetts weekly newspaper, The Landmark. Don continued to provide editorial cartoons to The Landmark for over 25 years.

He has worked for the Worcester Telegram and Gazette for 28 years and is currently the paper’s Chief Graphic Designer, designing pages, creating maps, cartoons and graphics for the newspaper and its website. Don also draws editorial cartoons for TelegramTimes, a weekly newspaper published by the Worcester Telegram and Gazette which covers 23 towns in central Massachusetts. Other local papers Don has drawn cartoons for include The Item in Clinton, The New Leader in Spencer and the Marlboro Enterprise/Hudson Daily Sun.

Don’s humorous illustrations have also been published in the Boston Herald, Editorial Humor, Dog Fancy, Cat Fancy and numerous other periodicals. His editorial cartoons have been featured in "Attack of the Political Cartoonists" and the yearly book series, “Best Editorial Cartoons of the Year”. He has received close to 30 awards from many press associations including UPI New England, National Newspaper Association, Society for News Design and the New England Newspaper and Press Association.

What is your favorite pen to use?
I'm more of brush guy for my editorial cartoon inking, and for my lettering I use either Uni-ball pens to Faber Castell PITT artist pens. For my live caricature work I use Sharpies.

Do you draw in pencil first and if so do you use a standard pencil or a mechanical one?
Yes for my editorial cartoons where I use either a mechanical pencil or whatever pencil I can find in the house. Sometimes which are pencils my daughters have which are broken leads, sparkly colors and no usable eraser.

Do you do your coloring by hand or on the computer?
Yes, editorial cartoons are colored by hand on the computer using Photoshop.
Live work and sign-in board color done the old fashioned way.

If you do your coloring by hand, what do you use?
Live party caricatures are colored with Chart-Pak AD Markers and Prismacolor Art Stix.
On sign-in boards, I use Chart-Pak AD Markers, Prismacolor Art Stix and gouache or watercolor.

What type of paper do you use?
White, wait it comes in flavors? Oh, I use Smooth Bristol paper, illustration board for some jobs. My editorial cartoons and live work are drawn on index stock or Vellum Bristol card stock.

What thing(s) do you hate to draw?
Straight lines and mechanical things.

Do you buy your supplies from big chain art store catalogues/websites or a local one that you physically go to?
Mostly online, Dick Blick and whoever has the best prices.

Are there any rituals that you do before starting to draw?
Beside thinking up the ideas? I have to clean up my office before I can start.

Do you listen to music while you draw and if so what genre?
Yes. Mostly alternative rock --Natalie Merchant, Aimee Mann, Cowboy Junkies etc. and movie instrumentals by Thomas Newman, John Williams,

Did you read comics as a kid and if so what was your favorite?
Comics as in comic books? Only Mad and Cracked magazines, I was never into super hero comics.

What is or was your favorite comic strip?
Peanuts was a favorite as a kid, others Calvin and Hobbes, Fox Trot,

What was your favorite book as a child and do you still own a copy of it?
A big reference book called "Children's Guide to Knowledge". A book with lots of snippets of info and drawings given to by my grandfather. My youngest daughter has the very same book now.

Did you have any formal art training and if so where did you receive it?
Just what they tried to teach me at Anna Maria College.

Do you feel that the Internet is a blessing or a curse?
What a great resource. No longer do cartoonists have to keep the old 'morgue' with reference photos.

Did either of your parents draw?
No.

Who in your life is/was the most supportive of your art?
My junior high school teacher -- he got me interested in drawing cartoons.

Do you keep a sketchbook?
As a kid I did, and I have been meaning start again. My kids got me one for Xmas, but so far it's full of blank pages.

Have you ever taught cartooning/drawing and if so did you enjoy the experience?
Yes, and yes.

Do you feel that talent or passion is more important in drawing?
Yes.

Do you collect anything and if so what?
I collect cartoon toys from fast food restaurants.

If you were an animated cartoon character who do you think you would be?
Woody from Toy Story

Are you a righty or lefty?
Righty

If you weren't an artist what would you want to do for work?
A standup comic, sounds fun.

In one or two sentences describe your drawing area.
Messy.

Do you play any musical instruments?
Does an iPod count?

If you could give one piece of advice to someone who wants to pursue drawing as a career what would it be?
Draw all the time.

Who is your favorite artist?
Hmm, always wished I could draw like Frank Frazetta.

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

I've received quite a few emails wondering why there haven't been any Cartoonist Surveys posted lately and wanted to give you all an update. On May 25th my mom passed away suddenly from a heart attack. It was a huge shock to my family and me as we had no idea that she had any heart troubles. What makes it even harder is that she lived down in South Carolina and I am up here in Massachusetts. My wife and I made the trip down to SC (a 16 hour drive) with my aunt and spent a week trying to get everything in order. To say this was overwhelming is an understatement, but with the support of my wife (who is my rock), friends and family I am doing as well as can be expected.

Later this week the Cartoonist Surveys will return. First up is will be editorial cartoonist and caricaturist Don Landgren Jr.

A huge thank you goes out to all for your kindness and patience!

In the meantime, I would like to ask all friend's of David Wasting Paper to take a minute and help John Read of Stay Tooned! magazine to qualify for a small business grant he has applied for. This grant will help him to keep publishing his wonderful magazine, that is a must buy for all fans of the comics.

To show your support please go to Mission: Small Business and click "Support", then login (you can use your Facebook credentials) and search for Stay Tooned! Magazine in the Madison, MS listings. Place your vote and know that you are helping out a very deserving cause that will help keep John's labor of love in publication for many years to come.

Subscribe To David Wasting Paper

David Wasting Paper is now on Facebook

Who's David?

I'm a fifty-something year old married guy who is referred to as "The Geek" by my wife. I grew up in the 60’s-70's as a huge fan of the Big Bad Bruins, Godzilla, Rock and Blues Music, Comics, all things scary, drawing and reading. Hmm...doesn't sound like a geek to me... I work for a financial institution as a Web QA tester. I am happily married and have been for 20 years. I enjoy cartooning and drawing in pen and ink and occasionally will add some watercolor. I have been playing the guitar for years and just recently taught myself the ukulele. I love classic Sci-Fi and Monster movies. Preferably in Black and White.